Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ In Dash Nexus 7

I don't post here, I got out of this thing quite a while ago but I've done a few Android Tablet installs over the past few years and I just got *****ed at for not documenting them enough, stating that I'm lying. My first was a Galaxy Tab a few months after they came out, honda accord. Nothing fancy during those days. Just charger and audio out.

Then I did another Galaxy Tab in a custom built dock for my Eclipse GSX.
Video is before the glassing of the Dock. I made it so it could be removed due to the heat. Galaxy Tabs didn't do well with the heat.http://youtu.be/qy8lodKH1FY
Finished Product (after Video)

I then went onto attempting a Nexus 7, It was too big for that car, Then A Kindle Fire 2, It was perfect and after I went CM10.1, it was that much better. But I decided to sell the car. So I sold that tablet and got another Nexus 7 and my 3rd Jeep Grand Cherokee.

And the video I made since I was called out. Very crap video tho. I hate video lol. Anyway the setup is a Nexus 7 32gb. Setup to a Custom USB OTG 4Port USB 2.0 Hub with a Hacked Verizon Galaxy Tab 2a charger hard wired into the Hub. I have a DVB-T/FM USB Dongle for FM Radio hard wired into my car's stock antenna, and a USB DAC for the audio through the USB. I Don't show in the video the 1TB HD because Its been stuck to my pc all day copying 780gb of Movies and TV Shows over, as well as lots of 4x4 Trail info since it is a 4x4 Vehicle. The Tablet is running Timurs USB OTG In Dash Cyanogenmod 10.1 Rom. I couldn't live without that rom, It made the whole in dash experience soo amazing. I feel as if the jeep came with the tablet like that from the factory. I'm currently awaiting my ordered DC/DC Smart PSU. I've been hearing good things about it, and I need the power and its abilities. Also will be adding some Camera's for 4x4 Views. http://youtu.be/WuTqovAYy8U

And of course for the people who say "Thats not easy to remove....!" Well I take this vehicle offroading, rock crawling, not mudding. So Extreme angles and bouncing around is very common, so I can't have the tablet falling out.

I hope you enjoy. I'll be documenting a Nexus 7 In Dash Permanent Install of a 2006 Altima SER, Similar to my setup but with screeeeennnnzzzz yo! lol Its planned to be a Ghetto Child Mobile.

And I'm loving the idea with the DVB-T/FM USB. That's just saved me a stack of headaches, I've been looking for that sort of solution because I wanted radio in my car, and was removing the original radio (well it was 50 years old to start with anyway). I'd been thinking of lots of different ways to make it work, so thanks very much!

I sure hope that nexus setup is working out for you because I feel like we are doing the exact same thing. I was lucky enough to stumble onto Timurs USB OTG In Dash Cyanogenmod 10.1 Rom, It's amazing. I think more people need to be aware of it as for me it is essential to my install. I also noticed you had SDR touch installed on the tablet. I am running that as well hard wired into my car's antenna. I am desperately waiting for him to update the app to add presets ability. Right now it's all on my work bench for testing but I hope to get it installed soon. Hopefully it turns out as nice as yours.

And I'm loving the idea with the DVB-T/FM USB. That's just saved me a stack of headaches, I've been looking for that sort of solution because I wanted radio in my car, and was removing the original radio (well it was 50 years old to start with anyway). I'd been thinking of lots of different ways to make it work, so thanks very much!

I purchased that one. The only issues I've had is the antenna plug is kinda weak so if your moving things around a lot to get things situated, you can easilly break it. Like I did. So I'm about to just solder both antennae's into the board for better quality anyway. Same with the DAC. I don't want plugs on top of plugs. And I was kinda thinking the same thing, I need FM... But I don't! I only have it to show it off to people. lol. The Radio just isn't what it used to be.

Originally Posted by theksmith

looks great! nice to see another 4x4 based project

Yeah, well my other one is 4x4 also :P. Yeah I wanted a Jeep again so I am figuring the best way to utilize it for offroading. GEtting two camera's built into front grill and rear hatch for reverse camera and offroading. Also got some pretty cool apps I'm trying out for things like Inclinometers... been looking through some trail apps but the only good one is a Jeep one and it only has pro trails on it. Nothing close to me either.

Originally Posted by Lankin

I sure hope that nexus setup is working out for you because I feel like we are doing the exact same thing. I was lucky enough to stumble onto Timurs USB OTG In Dash Cyanogenmod 10.1 Rom, It's amazing. I think more people need to be aware of it as for me it is essential to my install. I also noticed you had SDR touch installed on the tablet. I am running that as well hard wired into my car's antenna. I am desperately waiting for him to update the app to add presets ability. Right now it's all on my work bench for testing but I hope to get it installed soon. Hopefully it turns out as nice as yours.

Ahh.... Well I'm a little torn on Timur. His rom is awesome and I couldn't be happier with my tablet. It made the whole install seem "OEM". Himself, he's kinda a shady person and turning out I'm not the only person thinking so. I even donated a decent sum of cash and he returned it cause he dislikes that I don't enjoy paying for pointless applications. But Its whatever. The work being done is top notch and I love it. If he gave me the chance to donate again I would.

I'm still using the Demo of SDR Touch because of my antenna issues and because its not worth it till there is a preset button. Shouldn't have to take my eyes off the road for more than a split second to change the radio.

The install is kinda.... ehh. I wish it came out better and I might try again. I'm talking with someone who makes custom gauge pods and dash panels for cars. Professional. About making what I made but a real one, full plastic. A Jeep ZJ Tablet Dock. One day I took the tablet out all day, got back in at night and put it in and it wouldn't go in. Some of the paint/bondo has chipped away. I hate working with fiberglass lol. The mold itself came out pretty good, but not how I would like it. I'll try again one day but for now its not a problem. Can hardly tell unless you look for it. And I haven't used the pocket once. Thought that would have been a cool idea. Oh and as for the Nexus, Best damn tablet on the market. I've tried out most of them! lol. Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Tab 2.0 7", Nexus 7 16, Asus 8.9", Kindle Fire2 (awesome when Cyanogenmoded), Nexus 7 32, Galaxy Tab 10. The Nexus 7 is the best.

Cracking me up about Timur being shady. But like you said the work he puts out is excellent. Can I ask you how you generally keep the tablet powered? I plan on leaving mine in an always on state to allow for quick startups. Using tasker I will automate the tablet to go into airplane mode and sleep when the car is off. When I leave the car there will be no power to the tablet or hub.

So far I experience no power drain and very very slight charge to the tablet while using all connections (BT, WIFI, USB components). This means the only time the tablet will be discharging is when the car is off. Because the charge to the tablet during operation is so slow, it means that eventually after a week or so the tablet is going to run out of juice.

I plan to counteract this by setting up a circuit using a switch and other components that will allow me to turn on tablet power (nothing else on, not even hub) when the car is off. This shouldn't kill my battery, while allowing the tablet to charge back to full power. I am hoping once the tablet is fully charged it will not demand the normal charging amperage (in case i go in for an 8 our work day and forget i flipped the switch) and not kill the battery. I have not had time to confirm this though.